Andrew McKay and Carole Etherton (Special Event)

A house party with music! Featuring a couple of special guests from Britain some of us know from the Mudcat Cafe, and many of us know from the Getaway.Andrew McKay and Carole Etherton are singers and musicians, currently living near Swansea in South Wales, UK. (In fact, they live in the Gower village of Llangennith, once home to the reknown source-singer Phil Tanner.) Andrew is also a songwriter, drawing inspiration from historical tales of Swansea, its industry and maritime traditions. Increasingly, his songs (new songs of old times) are being taken up and recorded by other singers.Andrew McKay was born in South Wales, descended from economic migrants from the North of Scotland. He was seven when his parents moved to Somerset, concerned that their offspring were developing Welsh accents. Andrew soon started saying things like "Oh ar moi dear" and "drink up thee zyder" - his parents weren't convinced this was much of an improvement. Andrew eventually moved back to Wales (and his parents emigrated). He's now been singing at folk clubs and playing the obscure Crane Duet concertina for more years than he cares to (or possibly can) remember. He writes songs for a hobby - because they don't die as quickly as tropical fish. He has performed for some time as a member of Baggyrinkle - the Swansea shantymen. As a member of the Mudcat Cafe, Andrew took the name Crane Driver in reference to his instrument of choice - this convinced many people that he operated heavy lifting equipment. When he produced his first CD of self-penned songs Pennbucky to Llangenny, he therefore coined the name Crane Drivin' Music. Carole was born and bred in West Sussex. Perhaps the first of her musical performances was at the age of six when she treated all the neighbours to tunes on her xylophone. After being told at school that she couldn't sing (see - nothing changes) she taught herself to play the recorder much to the further frustration of her neighbours. A visit to Horsham Folk Club in the late 1990's introduced Carole to folk music. She became a resident at the Lewes Arms and Mid Sussex Folk Singers and a member of the Mudcat Cafe, where she is known as SussexCarole. She was 'enlisted' into the Shellback Chorus in 2000 and enjoyed singing at festivals in the UK & USA. Carole especially enjoyed being at the Lancaster festival in 2004 when she met Andrew who was performing with Baggyrinkle - their wedding was in April 2006! Carole now lives with Andrew in beautiful Gower. Having tried unsuccessfully to accompany her own singing by playing the flute at the same time, Carole now sings accompanied by the Crane Concertina. Thankfully their neighbours like folk music (or are deaf).Come to the Rec Room of Bill Day and Rita Ferrara in Wheaton and spend a musical evening listening to this delightful duo from the corner of Wales. We'll ask for a suggested contribution of $15 to help cover travel expenses.